Detergent delivery system

ABSTRACT

A detergent delivery system enables container or other large amount of soap or the like to be stored in a reservoirs and then automatically transferred to a washing machine. Pumps transfer the needed amount without having to repeatedly handle large, bulky or soiled containers at the running of each load of laundry.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to clothing care systems, and more specifically, to automated clothes washing systems that simplify the work of scrubbing and applying soap to soiled clothing to prepare them to be used again.

2. Description of Related Art

Clothing care systems are well known in the art and are effective means to limit the effects of use on the fabrics or materials of the cloths. For example, FIG. 1 depicts a conventional washing machine apparatus 101 having a tub 103 situated in a housing 105 where a soap receptacle 107 holds detergent until called for by the apparatus 101. During use, cloths are placed in the tub 103 along with water. Detergent is placed in the soap receptacle 107 by a user 109 and then released to the tub 103. The tub 103 is rotated or moved causing the clothes to be cleaned.

One of the problems commonly associated with apparatus 101 is its limited efficiency. For example, similar loads of clothing are washed in the apparatus 101 however, the detergent must be measured and placed in the soap receptacle each time. Detergent is often sold in large amounts and is heavy and awkward to handle. This results in spills, erroneous application or disuse.

Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of washing machine apparatuses, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional front view of a common washing machine apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a detergent delivery system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application; and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the preferred method of use of the system of FIG. 2.

While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional washing machine apparatuses. Specifically, the invention of the present application enables the single transfer of bulk amounts of detergent or like substances to a washing machine for individual use at a later time. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional side view of a detergent delivery system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system 201 overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional washing machine apparatuses.

In the contemplated embodiment, system 201 includes a first reservoir 203 with an opening 205 closed by a lid 207. The first reservoir 203 having a first tube 209 connected thereto and leading to a first receptacle 211 of a washing machine 213. The system 201 also includes a second reservoir 215 with an opening 217 closed by a lid 219. The second reservoir 215 having a second tube 221 connected thereto and leading to a second receptacle 223 of the washing machine 213. Each tube 209, 221 having a pump 225 configured to move material from the reservoirs 203, 215.

In use, detergent or the like is added to the first reservoir 203 and the second reservoir 215 in bulk amounts so that the reservoirs contain multiple load amounts. The washing machine 213 is prepared normally with the notable exception of placing detergent or the like in the receptacles. The pumps 225 are activated and convey the substances from the reservoirs 203, 215 to their respective receptacles 211, 223. The machine then launders the clothing normally.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is that reservoirs 203, 215 enable a user to transfer at one time large amounts of detergent or the like so that individual load amounts are easily and precisely transferred at the time of use.

While a first reservoir 203 and a second reservoir 215 are depicted with their respective tubes and such, any number of reservoirs could be used. Additionally it is understood that soaps, detergents, softeners, bleaches or other treatments may be used in the reservoirs and that those listed here are given as examples only.

Referring now to FIG. 3 the preferred method of use of system 201 is depicted. Method 301 including transferring the contents of a detergent container to the first reservoir 303, transferring another treatment substance to the second reservoir 305, placing cloths in the tub of a washing machine 307, activating the pumps to transfer the substances from the reservoirs to the receptacles 309 and running the machine to wash the cloths with the treatments being released from the receptacles 311.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. 

What is claimed:
 1. Detergent delivery system comprising: at least one reservoir in fluid communication with at least one receptacle of washing machine; and a pump configured to transfer a fluid from the reservoir to the receptacle; wherein bulk amounts of a clothing treatment substance are placed in and stored by the reservoir; and wherein the pump transfers single dose amounts of the substances as activated by a user.
 2. The method of moving detergent or like substances given the system of claim 1, comprising: transferring the contents of a detergent container to the first reservoir; transferring another treatment substance to the second reservoir; placing cloths in the tub of a washing machine; activating the pumps to transfer the substances from the reservoirs to the receptacles; and running the machine to wash the cloths with the treatments being released from the receptacles 